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Bendy and the Ink Machine

Originally released as a 5 part episodic horror game, Bendy and the Ink Machine was published by Kindly Beast on Game Jolt in February 2017 and had a full release in October 2018. Bendy is now due for a long awaited console port release on November 20th 2018, published by Rooster Teeth Games. With that, here’s my short, opinion based article telling you all of the great aspects of the game in my opinion. Please note, I am in no way a video game buff, I tend to play games with unique and interesting art styles. So, if you’re like me – this is the game for you, buddy.

Our main character, Henry Stein – ex-animator for Joey Drew Studios – is called to return to the old studio to be shown something exciting. As Stein returns to the studio, we discover there seems to be a problem with the ink machine. Well, we have to fix it, right?

Right.

However, all is not as it seems. Before long, our first adventure leads us to discover something is very different about Stein’s old place of work. A once lively, bright place is now filthy and covered in ink due to the broken machine. There’s discarded wooden planks everywhere, cans of soup left of shelves. The atmosphere changes and it’s clear there is something more sinister going on.

The immersive feeling created is done so through the games unique and disorientating art style. Wooden panels drawn and odd angles make you question where the wall ends and floor begins, where one wall meets another. The subtle light changes are done so artistically that you need to take a step back and remind yourself you’re actually in your living room and it’s two in the afternoon, you’re actually really brave and these creepy ink monsters aren’t waiting in your kitchen for you to go and make another cup of tea.

The art style is similar to the Walt Disney/Fleischer style of the 1930’s/40’s, not unlike the styles found in games such as Cuphead (StudioMDHR, 2017/18) and Epic Mickey (Disney Interactive Studios, 2010) which both hark back to the art styles of the first half of the 20th century.

Originally, I found Bendy and the Ink Machine on YouTube by pure chance and decided to watch a play through of the first episode and since then, I was hooked. Hopefully, you will be too. With ample, well executed jumpscares and next level tension building, I can safely say this game is the first in a while to actually lead me to have a brave peak behind the couch every now and then as I played.

If this creepy, cartoon horror seems to be up your street it’s available on Game Jolt and Steam!

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Hi! I'm Wallis, I'll be posting all sorts of articles and videos (coming soon) on things such as TV/Film, Professional Wrestling, the odd gaming piece and reviews of everything else I experience in my wild, crazy, completely off the chain life.
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